OFAC FAQ (Current) # 926 - Ethiopia-Related Sanctions

Date issued: Sep. 17 2021

TURBOFAC Commentary (185 words)

Notes:

1) Read in conjunction with Ethiopia General License Number 2.

Here, OFAC specifies that "Ethiopia GL 2 authorizes certain transactions and activities involving nongovernmental organizations’ (NGOs) activities in Ethiopia or Eritrea, including: activities to support humanitarian projects and to meet basic human needs (such as, among other examples provided in GL 2, shelter and settlements assistance, water, sanitation, hygiene activities, and COVID-19 related assistance); activities to support democracy building (such as, among other examples provided in GL 2, activities to support conflict mitigation)..."

The underlined portions are, in effect, interpretations of the scope of the GL, since the underlined text does not appear in the GL. The interpretation of the phrase "activities to support humanitarian projects and to meet basic human needs" should have cross-programmatic implications, since that quoted text appears in many NGO-related executive orders. One might refer to Fact Sheet: Provision of Humanitarian Assistance and Trade to Combat COVID-19 for guidance on the meaning of "COVID-19 related assistance".

2) See generally General Note on GLs Authorizing Transactions of and Related to Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) (System Ed. Note).